I understand your concern about getting Alex in the carrier for the vet visit. When I brought Timber home, I had a vet visit scheduled the next day. He wasn't stepping up, didn't know us, and was not inclined to be cooperative. Yes, we had to towel him. Fast forward to today, it has been two years and he still doesn't like going into the carrier. Since he goes to the vet every six months whether he likes it or not, he has to go in it. One thing that might work for you is to get him on the floor with the carrier then guide him into it with the towel. If he is like Timber, he will go the opposite direction of the towel, so he might go in the carrier to get away from it. Do you see what I mean? We can sometimes "steer" Timber into the carrier by holding the towel in front of him. It is his choice of evils (in his mind) the towel or the carrier. Last resort, there are times when you have no option but the dreaded towel.